Standard Schnoodle

The Schnoodle is a hybrid dog. His parent breeds are the Standard Schnauzer and the Poodle. He is happy in an apartment or a home with a fenced-in yard. He will need a moderate amount of grooming, and he may need his coat stripped several times a year depending on the type of coat he inherits. He makes a great watch dog and an even better companion. He is highly intelligent and may be prone to mischief should he be allowed to become bored. He will also need a moderate amount of exercise. He needs a family who is willing to spend time with him, but, the family has his fierce loyalty as a reward for time put in with the Schnoodle.

Purpose

Companionship, Watchdog

Date of Origin

1980s

Ancestry

Standard Schnauzer, Poodle

Standard Schnoodle Health

Average Size

Height: 24-24 inchesWeight: 70-75 lbs

Height: 22-22 inchesWeight: 60-65 lbs

Major Concerns

Patellar Luxation

Diabetes

Addison's Disease

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat

Minor Concerns

Cataracts

Epilepsy

Occasional Diagnoses

None Known

Occasional Tests

X-Rays

Eye Examination

Blood Analysis

Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints

Standard Schnoodle Breed History

The Schnoodle is a fairly new hybrid dog. He is likely the result of an interest during the 1980s regarding Poodle crosses. Breeders wanted to capture the low-shedding and low-dander characteristics of the Poodle that made the dog hypoallergenic. They also wanted a loyal family dog. The Schnoodle has a rather strong following, and he is often more well-known that other hybrid dogs. There are no current breed clubs for the Schnoodle, nor are there any breed standards. Some breeders still interbreed the Standard Schnauzer to a Poodle to achieve the Schnoodle, other breeders have begun breeding two Schnoodles to maintain the positive characteristics of the hybrid breed. Some breeders may mate a variation of each of the three parent breeds - each parent breed has a miniature and standard size variation. Those who want a smaller Schnoodle have bred the miniature versions of each breed to achieve this. Some have bred the toy versions of each breed to achieve an even smaller version of the Schnoodle. A farm dog from Germany, the Standard Schnauzer entered the United States and was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1904. The Poodle, also of German origin, was an excellent water retriever, truffle discoverer and companion who was added to the roster of the AKC in 1888.

Standard Schnoodle Breed Appearance

The Schnoodle is generally around two feet in height, and he may weigh up to seventy-five pounds at maturity. (The Miniature is around twenty pounds, and the Toy variation is about ten pounds.) His size will largely depend on the size of the parent breeds. His coat often resembles that of a Schnauzer puppy - soft and wavy. His coat may be black, gray, silver, white, apricot, sable, black and white, black and tan, or parti-color. His coat should be soft and silky to the touch; it will continue to keep this softness throughout the life of the dog. He often has the beard of the Schnauzer parent. He will have floppy ears that will need extra TLC as you are grooming.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Silver

Fawn

Cream

Pied

Brown

Gray

Black

Coat Length

ShortMediumLong

Coat Density

SparseNormalDense

Coat Texture

StraightWiryWavyCurlyCorded

Standard Schnoodle Breed Maintenance

The Schnoodle will need a moderate amount of maintenance, depending on the exact genetics he inherits from his parent breeds. While the Schnoodle is not prone to shedding, owners will need to keep the dog trimmed regularly. Perhaps clipping him is an option. Either way, he will need to be brushed at least once or twice a week to prevent matting. You may need to keep his beard trimmed as well. Remember, his beard can collect water and food, so you may need to clean it after every meal. Bathe him as necessary; this should be done on a weekly basis. It is recommended that you blow his hair dry after a bath (with your blow dryer on low setting) to prevent matting as well. You may also have to have the coat stripped a number of times a year; your groomer can advise you on the frequency. You should also check his ears once a week for redness and odor; use a damp cotton ball to wipe away any excess dirt. Brush his teeth two or three times a week to prevent the build-up of tartar; if you wish to prevent tooth decay, brush his teeth daily. Trim his nails every two weeks if he does not wear them down naturally.

Brushes for Standard Schnoodle

Pin Brush

Scissors

Clipper

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

DailyWeeklyMonthly

Standard Schnoodle Temperament

The Schnoodle is a happy, sweet, and affectionate dog. He is extremely protective of his family, and he makes a wonderful watchdog. He loves to be in the middle of all things involving his family, and you may notice him following you from room to room in your home just to be in on the action. He is highly intelligent, and you will need to keep his mind stimulated in order to keep him from becoming mischievous. He is known to entertain both his family and their visitors with his antics. However, he may also be somewhat aloof with new people and dogs; early socialization will help him to learn what you expect from him and teach him how to interact with new animals and people. He is easily trainable, but he may have a stubborn streak as well. Obedience classes are great for the Schnoodle and will help him learn how to behave in a number of situations.

Standard Schnoodle Activity Requirements

The Schnoodle is a highly active dog. He will need at least an hour of activity each day. Also, he will need toys that provide him with mental stimulation in addition to physical play. He will enjoy walking through the neighborhood with you; he may also join you in other physical activities such as hiking. He will also enjoy outdoor play, but he needs to remain inside a fenced-in area. The fence needs to be at least six feet in height; the Poodle parent has been known to scale a fence under this height. It is not a good idea to leave him unsupervised in the fenced-in area; however. The Schnoodle becomes lonely, and he may become destructive if left to his own devices. Smaller Schnoodles can play inside any sized apartment, but the larger Schnoodle is recommended for larger apartments (and plenty of exercise opportunities) or a home with a fenced-in area.